Posted on 04/02/2009 11:56:14 AM PDT by mnehring
BOSSIER CITY — Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana has been selected to house the Air Force's new Global Strike Command, a decision that will create some 900 jobs in a state still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
The Air Force notified lawmakers of the decision Thursday and were expected to make a public announcement in the afternoon.
"It's extremely important," said Rep. John Fleming, R-La. "This will mean temporary jobs to begin with, contract and construction, and then as many as 1,000 long-term jobs in personnel."
Air Force leaders created the new Strike Command to better manage the nation's nuclear arsenal after several missteps in the handling and oversight of its most sensitive materials. The command will handle long-range ballistic missiles and two bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons — B-52s and B-2s.
With six states competing for the work, the Air Force said it was looking for a base that already supports nuclear operations and which has enough room for a staff of up to 900 people.
Louisiana officials said Barksdale is a good match because it is among the nation's largest and because its mission has always focused on long-range weaponry. B-52s already fly from there.
The other finalists were Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska; F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming; Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana; Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota; and Whiteman Air Force Base in western Missouri.
Officials in Nebraska had sought the command for Offutt, which is home to the Strategic Command, which has overall military control of the nation's nuclear weapons, both those of the Air Force and U.S. Navy.
Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., who had pushed for the command, said he was disappointed with the decision because the base's infrastructure and "our community's highly skilled and capable workforce made Offutt stand out as the obvious and best choice for the command."
Global Strike Command will be canceled in one year by Obama to be replaced by the Global Diplomatic Command.
Well, certainly not the best looking base in the AF, but whatever...
Excellent news. They will be right at home there, and welcomed. Good thing for North Louisiana. I bet Louie Gohmert might see the Red River Arsenal get some business out of this.
Oops - Rep. Gohmert’s district doesn’t go that far north.
Barksdale or Minot would have been my choices.
I just heard on a local report there is one hurdle to complete.... an environmental impact study...
oh joy..
For the environmental impact study, the local fauna should not be a problem. Every critter there is food, ‘cept buzzards, crows, some snakes, skunks, varmints and so on. - or bait.
“Minot”
Better weather in La.
What ever happened to SAC?
Gone in the 1992 reorganization (ordered by Obama supporter, Gen McPeak). The Bombers were given to Air Combat Command (the old TAC) and the tankers were given to Air Mobility Command (the old MAC).
Curt Lemay and I wanted Offutt. ;)
“The command will handle long-range ballistic missiles and two bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons — B-52s and B-2s.”
I wonder why the B-1 was not included?
I thought they where phasing out the B1s.. I also don’t think that is a normal base for B1s... Barksdale has a major B52 presence. The 2nd is stationed at Barksdale.. she is one tough, and giant bird.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.